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Original poster

What's the going rate for teenager to feed cat?

29 replies

listsandbudgets · 24/05/2021 16:26

We are going away for a few days next week and were wondering about asking the 15 year old next door if he'd like to earn a bit of cash by feeding our cats morning and evening.

Anyone able to advise what the going rate is please. We were thinking £2 a feed (so £4 a day) but genuinely have no idea whether that's reasonable. Its basically pop in, pick up post, say hello to cats, feed them and wash out bowls from previous feed and lock up again. I can't see it taking more than 5-10 minutes a time door to door if that .

If your teen does this what are they paid?

OP posts:
jmh740 · 24/05/2021 16:29

I wouldn't do it per day, depending on how long you're going away, 2/3 days I'd offer £20

FuzzyPuffling · 24/05/2021 16:36

Box of fudge on your return.

pussycatlickinglollyices · 24/05/2021 16:36

hmm...DH could make a few quid out of our neighbours Grin
He (we) will feed the cat 2 or 3 times a day our cats are not looking forwards to sharing their tuna water the plants, move the post and poke the hamster.
They usually give DH a bottle of wine and some chocs (say a tenners worth for a fortnight)

I'd ask the NDN DS if he's up for it, and offer him £20.

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Boood · 24/05/2021 16:37

Professional cat sitters charge from about £15/day for two visits. Obviously they have insurance etc so that pushes their costs up.

pussycatlickinglollyices · 24/05/2021 16:37

meant to add - DH is on cat/plant/hamster duty next week Halo

Redtartanshoes · 24/05/2021 16:39

I work on roughly £5 a day. I also figure that keeping her interested and making it worth her while is a far cheaper option that kennels for 2 cats etc.

If a neighbour asked me to do it for a fortnight and only have a bottle of wine and chocs I certainly wouldn’t be doing it again!

eurovisionsparkles · 24/05/2021 16:42

Just asked my ds (age 14) and he'd do it for £4 a day but would hope that you'd round up to £5 per day Wink

LampLass · 24/05/2021 16:45

We pay neighbour teenager £5 a day for similar, much cheaper than a cattery and cat is happy he gets to stay in his own home. He's not the brightest cat but he does know when we're away which house to go to to miaow and nag for food!

VienneseWhirligig · 24/05/2021 16:47

My dad does it for his neighbour and gets a bottle of wine for his troubles.

pussycatlickinglollyices · 24/05/2021 16:48

Red their cat is tiny and sleeps on our doorstep - I would never not feed him 🐟 he gets treats quite frequently I'm a softie
I don't get involved in the plants/hamster Grin

pussycatlickinglollyices · 24/05/2021 16:49

he does know when we're away which house to go to to miaow and nag for food!

^This. 😻

massistar · 24/05/2021 16:53

I've paid mine £6/day.

Creweventus · 24/05/2021 17:09

My daughter got £6 a visit a few years back, we're in the north west.

LubaLuca · 24/05/2021 17:12

@FuzzyPuffling

Box of fudge on your return.
This is what our neighbours do when our kids feed their cat - a few sweets from wherever they've been. It takes them not more than 2 minutes twice a day to pop in.
teezletangler · 24/05/2021 17:20

How many days is it for? I'd offer a flat rate in advance. £5 per day sounds reasonable.

Hoppinggreen · 24/05/2021 17:25

Mine goes in twice a day to feed, play with and empty litter trays for about £20 per week or part week.

Twickerhun · 24/05/2021 17:27

We pay a professional £10 a day or the local teenager £5 a day. (Only do one feed) plus we bring back a present (of some food substance).

isseys4xmastinselcats · 24/05/2021 17:50

my youngest son (adult doesn't live at home) feeds my cats when we go away and we pay him £20 for a long weekend and £50 for our main holiday each year that's two weeks as it would cost me a fortune for 4 cats in cattery and he's happy with the amount i pay him

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 24/05/2021 18:30

I'm paying a teen boy £5 a day to feed our cat, it's still a lot less than a Cattery would cost!! He will also water my hanging baskets if it's dry.

allmycats · 24/05/2021 18:49

£5 a day is a fair price

Temp023 · 24/05/2021 18:50

I was always £5 per day but there were a lot of plants to water as well.

Original poster
listsandbudgets · 26/05/2021 10:24

Thanks all.

He's refusing to be paid. - I guess that's a very large box of chocolates then. They are a lovely family and we're very lucky to have them next door hope they feel the same about us

OP posts:
SageRosemary · 26/05/2021 10:45

Neighbours asked our DD (who was about 10 at the time) to do this. She was too young to do it on her own so I would go and supervise. We brought the post in too and watered some plants. DD got 50 for her troubles and I got some very nice handcream.

frugalkitty · 26/05/2021 14:27

I give my friends daughter £10 for a few days of popping in to feed the bunnies when we go away. She just pops in once a day, tops up food, hay and changes water, and picks up any post. I know she would do it anyway but I like to give her some money as a thank you.

Stompythedinosaur · 26/05/2021 14:43

We pay £5 a day, which is for one visit but we have quite a menagerie of pets.